Method and apparatus for indicating time in terms of color

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for indicating time including a plurality of electric lamps having different colors corresponding to different times of the day, and a switching device for effecting the illumination of the lamps to indicate the time of day in terms of color.

United States Patent 1191 Edmunds 1 Dec. 17, 1974 METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR 2,906,333 9/1959 Ritzenthaler 340/3094 INDICATING T IN TERMS OF O O3,200,218 8/1965 Wagner 340/331 X 3,574,992 4/1971 Ladas 58/50 RInventor: Frank m s, 5 3,613,352 /1971 Giersiepen t 58/50 R OnondagaSt., Syracuse, NY. 3,775,964 12/1973 Fukumoto 58/50 R 13202 [22] Filed:Febi 4, 1974 Primary Iirmniner-Richard B. Wilkinson AssistantE.\'aminerU. Weldon 1 l, [2 1 App No 439,354 Attorney, Agent, or FirmD.Peter Hochberg .[52] US. Cl. 58/50 R, 58/125 R [51] Int. Cl. G04b 19/0057 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search /28 R, 52 R, 53 R, 30,

I 40/130 N, 132 C; 340/3093, 3094, 331, Apparatus for indicating timeincluding a plurality of 366, 378 R; 58/23 R, 50,. 125 R, 126 R, 127electric lamps having different colors corresponding to R differenttimes of the day, and a switching device for effecting the illuminationof the lamps toindicate the [56] Reference Cited time of day in terms ofcolor.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1,160,461 11/1915Swank 340/331 X l- 118 LE PATENTELBEEI 11914 3, 854.279

SHEET 10F 2 PATENTEUUECIYIHM 3,854.279

' sum 20F 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING TIME IN TERMS OF COLORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to the indication of time, and in particular toapparatus and methods for indicating time in terms of color.

2. Description of the Prior Art The conventional watch or clock includesa mechanism for rotating a set of hands through a circle at a rate equalto the passage of time, the positions of the hands indicating the timeof the day. A number of variations on these conventional devices areknown wherein a display of color is included in the time indicatingscheme. For example, US. Pat. No. 3,616,640 discloses a clock having onits face a circular band divided into segments corresponding in color tothe hours of the day, and means are provided for illuminating the centerof this band in a color identical to that color of the circular bandwhich corresponds to the particular hour of the day. A conventionalminute hand shows the particular minute of the hour. US. Pat. No.3,439,492 describes a timepiece wherein the hour and minute hands of aconventional clock are replaced by transparent discs, each divided intovari-colored segments. The discs are rotated in a manner like the handsthey have replaced, and light is projected from openings in the face ofthe clock through the segments of each disc covering the opening,whereby light beams are projected in colors corresponding to particularhours and minutes of the day. The foregoing devices do representaesthetic departures from conventional timepieces, but they arenevertheless only modifications of standard timepieces. Each has theappearanceof a conventional clock, modified to the extent that the handsare replaced by rotating members carrying multi-colored light filtersthrough which white light can be transmitted.

. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toindicate time purely in terms of color.

Another objectof the present invention is to provide an improved,aesthetic apparatus for indicating the time of day in terms of color.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thepreceding type which is unique in construction and function.

Qt tatwjs sawi lt s me apparsntftq p t d scription to follow and fromthe appended claims.

The foregoing objects are achieved according to preferred embodiments ofthe invention by the provision of sets of four colored electric lamps,the colors of one set corresponding to particular hours of the day andthe colors of another set corresponding to particular quarters of eachhour of the day, and by the provision of a switching device forconnecting the lamps to an electric power, supply during the timeperiods to which the colors of the lamps correspond.

vention wherein the hours and minutes of the day are I indicated atspaced locations from each other.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the invention wherein thehours and minutes of the day are indicated at one location.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the invention whereintime is indicated by projected beams of light.

' FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a switching means and associated lampsfor use in the inventive apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The embodiments of the inventiondescribed below include sets of differently colored electric lamps, thelamps of one set corresponding to particular hours of the day and thelamps of the other set corresponding to particular quarters of eachhour, and switching means for igniting the lamps during the time periodsto which they correspond. The apparatus are highly aesthetic inappearance and in operation, and are entirely dissimilar fromconventional timepieces.

Referring now to the drawings, the exterior views of three forms ofapparatus according to the invention are depicted in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1shows an electrically operated time indicating device 1 comprising anhour indicator 3 and a quarter-hour indicator 5. Indicators 3 and 5 areconnected together for synchronous operation by an electrical wire 7,and to an electric power supply by a power cord Indicator 3 includes adecorative cap 11, a base 13 and a translucent globe 15. Similarly,indicator 5 includes a decorative cap 17, a base 19 and a translucentglobe 21. Indicators 3 and 5 are spaced from each other by any desireddistance, although it would be desirable to locate them so that theycould be viewed simultaneously.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 differs from that in FIG. 1 in that thehour and quarter hour indicators are mounted together in a commonfixture. The construction and functioning of the indicators in thisapparatus are similar to indicators 3 and 5, and corresponding parts aregiven corresponding reference characters prefixed by the hundredsdigit 1. Thus, FIG. 1- depicts an electrically operated time indicatingdevice 101 comprising an hour indicator 103 and a quarter hour indicator105, both being connected to an electric power supply by a power cordI09. Hour indicator 103 has a translucent globe 115 and quarter hourindicator has a translucent globe 121. Device 101 further in"- cludes acap 117, a spacer and support member 118, and a base 113.

The apparatus in FIG. 3 is a time indicating device similar to device101 in FIG. 2, and corresponding parts have corresponding referencenumerals with the hundreds digit replaced by the numeral 2. Thus, thereis shown in FIG. 3 an electrically operated time indicating device 201having an hour indicator 203 and a quarter hour indicator 205. The unithas a decorative cap 217, a spacer and support member 218, a base 213and a power cord 209. The translucent globes I15 and 121 of FIG. 2 arereplaced by opaque globes 21S and 221 respectively. Indicators 203 and205 further include projection lens assemblies 225 and 227,respectively, fitted and sealed in openings in globes 215 and 221. Lightfrom within the respective globes 21S and 221 is projected throughprojection lens assemblies 225 and 227 as light beams 229 and 231 onto adisplay sur- 5 face 233.

Each hour indicator 3, 103, and 203 includes a light source includingmeans for generating a colored light corresponding to a particular hourof the day. The colors so displayed can include, for example, blue,yellow, red and white, each corresponding to 6 hours of the day spacedat four hour intervals. Blue can correspond to the first, fifth, ninth,thirteenth, seventeenth, and twenty-first hours of the day; yellow cancorrespond to the second, sixth, tenth, fourteenth, eighteenth, andtwenty-second hours of the day; red can correspond to the third,seventh, eleventh, fifteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-third hours of theday; and white can correspond to the fourth, eighth, twelfth, sixteenth,twentieth, and twenty-fourth hours of the day. An electrically drivenswitching device located in bases 13, 113 and 213 effects the generationof the colored light in sequence for one hour periods during the courseof the day in correspondence with the time periods to which the variouscolors represent. Hour indicators 3, 103 and 203 thus display the fourcolors in repetitive sequence to indicate the particular hours of theday.

In like fashion, each quarter hour indicator 5, 105 and 205 includes alight source including means for generating a colored lightcorresponding to particular quarter hours of each hour of the day. Thesecolors can be identical to, or different from, the colors associatedwith the hour indicators. When the same colors are used, blue canrepresent the first minutes of each hour; yellow can represent thesecond 15 minutes of each hour; red can represent the third '15 minutesof each hour, and white can represent the fourth l5 minutes of eachhour. A second electrical switching device is located in base 19, and inspacer and support members 118 and 218, for effecting the generation ofthe colored light in each respective quarter hour indicator, for fifteenminute periods corresponding to the particular quarter of an hour towhich each color corresponds. The switching device effects thegeneration of the variously colored light in repetitive sequency.Alternatively, the first and second switching devices can beincorporated in a common mechanism housed within the apparatus depictedin FIGS. 1-3, or remotely therefrom. 8

When an observer of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 observes a redlight emanating from any of the hour indicators and a white light fromany of the quarter hour indicators, he knows that the time is between3:45 am. and 4:00 am, 7:45 am. and 8:00 am, 11:45 am. and 12:00 am, etc.The observer would generally know the precise hour of the day baSed onhis own activities or the nature of the outdoor light. The observance ofother color schemes would indicate the other times of the day.

The preceding apparatus does not in any way resemble a conventionaltimepiece, and the time is indicated in a pleasing and aesthetic manner.The time indicators shown in the drawings are by way of example only,and any desired display apparatus could be used as well. For instance,the time indicating light can be generated from any sort of lamp,statue, light transmitting screen, chandelier, watch, etc. It would takebut a minor effort to educate an observer as to the color codesinvolved. Such apparatus could be used advantageously to secretlyindicate the time to one observer without alerting others in hispresence, such as to a psychiatrist analyzing a patient withoutdisturbing the latter. Moreover, the observer could designate himselfwhich color in the repetitive sequence is to correspond to the firsthour of the day. Also, the apparatus can be used as a timer, since theobserver can determine time periods according to when the various colorsare changed and when particular colors reappear.

FIG. 4 shows a time indicating device having switching means forconnecting hour and quarter hour lamps to an electric power source toignite the lamps in proper sequence. In the embodiment shown, switchingmeans for each set of lamps are combined in a common mechanism, althoughseparate mechanisms could be use. Thus, FIG. 4 depicts a time indicatingdevic 251 with its cover members removed to reveal the internalcomponents thereof. The device comprises a first source of colored light253 for indicating the hours of the day, a second source of coloredlight 255 for indicating the quarters of each hour, a switching device257, and a power cord 259. Light source 253 includes a mounting plate261 having sockets for receiving a set of vari-colored electric lamps262, 263, 264, and 265, which can be colored blue, yellow, red andwhite, respectively. .Lamps 262-265 are connected in parallel byelectric leads 267 to an electric coupling 269 which is in turnconnected to power cord 259. Device 255 is identical in construction todevice 253, and includes a mounting plate 271 having sockets forreceiving varicolored electric lamps 272, 273, 274 and 275. Theforegoing lamps are colored blue, yellow, red and white, respectively.The lamps are connected in parallel and are connected by electric leads277 to electric coupling 269 and thence to power cord 259. Switchingdevice 257 is a mechanism for connecting lamps 262-265 to an electricpower supply in a repetitive sequence wherein each lamp is ignited inturn for onehour periods, and for igniting lamps 272275 in repetitivesequence for one-quarter hour periods. Considering first the portion ofmechanism 257 for igniting the hour lamps, there is provided an electricmotor M having a shaft 279 which is rotatable at a constant speed of onerevolution per twelve hours. A non-conducting arm 281 is fastened toshaft 279 and is rotatable therewith. An electrically conductive disc283 is mounted concentrically with shaft 279 and is connectable with anelectric power supply by means of an electric lead 285 attached to thedisc at solder joint 310 and forming part of power cord 259. A set oftwelveconductive posts 287 are equally spaced around disc 283 and areconcentric with shaft 279. A set of electrically conductive supportmembers 289, insulated from disc 283, are equally spaced from each otherand are concentric with shaft 279. A set of electrically conductivefingers 291-302 are mounted on the respective support members 289 andextend radially inwardly from the support members to that they areslightly spaced from posts 287 on disc 283. The fingers are resilientand, with the exertion of a small force thereon, are engageable withposts 287. Posts 287 and the fingers attached thereto are electricallyconnected to the electric lamps on light source 253. Accordingly, finger294, 298, and 302, which are joined together by electrical leads, areconnected to lamp 262 by a lead 303. ln like fashion, fingers 291, 295,and 299 are joined together by electrical leads and are connected tolamp 263 by a lead 305. Fingers 292, 296 and 300 are connected byelectrical leads and are electrically connected to lamp 264 by anelectrical lead 307. Fingers 293, 297 and 301 are also joined togetherby electrical leads and are connected by a lead 309 to lamp 265.Whenever a finger 291-302 is moved into engagement with a post 287, anelectrical circuit is completed (provided the plug on power cord 259 hasbeen inserted into an electrical outlet), and the lamp connected to thatpost ignites. The groups of fingers joined together by electrical leadseffect the ignition of the same lamp when any one of them is urged intoengagement with the post 287.

Arm 281 is constructed such that as it rotates, it engages one offingers 291-302 for one-twelfth of each revolution, and at the end ofsuch period, the arm slips off that finger and engages the next fingerin its path. Thus, when arm 281 rotates in a clockwise direction, itengages each finger in turn, holding that finger against the post 287associated therewith, to effect the ignition of the lamp connected tothat finger for a 1- hour period. Since consecutive fingers areconnected to different lamps, lamps 262-265 are ignited in turn as arm281 rotates each shaft 279.

The switching means associated with device 255 is similarin constructionand operation to that just described. A second shaft 31 1, concentricwith shaft 279, is rotated by motor M at a constant speed of onerevolution per hour. Shaft 311 is longer than shaft 279 and extendsabove the fingers, posts, and support members associated with the firstswitching means described above. An arm 313 is fastened to shaft 311near the outermost portion thereof and isrotatable with the shaft Asecond electrically conductive disc 315 is mounted in device 257concentric with shaft 311. Disc 315 is electrically insulated from disc283, fingers 291-302, and support members 289. A set of electricallyconductive posts 317 extend upwardly from disc 315 and are equallyspaced thereon and concentric about shaft 311. A set of twelveelectrically conductive support members 319 are outwardly and radiallyspaced from posts 317. The foregoing support members have attachedthereto a set of electrically conductive, resilient fingers 321-332.Consecutive groups of three of the latter fingers are connected to lampsin device 255. Thus, fingers 321-323 are connected together byelectricalleads andby a lead 333 to lamp 272. Fingers 324-326 areconnected together by electrical leads and by a lead 335 to lamp 273.Fingers 327-329 are similarly connected together, and are connected tolamp 274 by a lead 337. Finally, fingers 330-332 are similarly joinedtogether and are connected to lamp 275 by a lead 339. Support members319 have a length coextensive with that of shaft 311, and fingers321-332 are mounted thereon so as to be above the components of thefirst switching means located in the central portion of device 257. Disc315 is connectable to an electric power source by means of electric lead285 attached thereto at solder joint 341.

When the apparatus is electrically energized, the engagement of anyfinger 321-332 with a post 317 effects the ignition of the lampconnected to that finger. Arm 313 is so constructed as to engage eachfinger 321-332 in turn as the arm completes its rotational path, holdingeach arm against the post associated therewith until the arm slips offthat finger and engages the subsequent finger. As arm 313 rotates, itpasses over the components of the first switching means and causes theignition of each lamp in device 255 for a IS-minute interval. Sinceadjacent groups of three fingers are connected together, the consecutiveengagement thereof by finger 313 causes the foregoing occurrence.

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, theunit first must be electrically energized by inserting the plug on powercord 259 into an appropriate electrical outlet. When motor M isenergized, arm 281 rotates at a speed of one-twelfth of a revolution perhour. Arm 281 engages each finger 291-302 for a 1-hour period in turn,thuseffecting the repetitive ignition of lamps 262-265. At the sametime. arm 313, rotating at a speed of one hour per' revolution, engageseach finger 321-332 for a 5-minute period. By virtue of the electricalconnection between adjacent groups of three fingers, arm 313 effects theconsecutive ignition of lamps 372-375 for one-quarter hour periods each.The apparatus in F IG. 4 can be adapted for incorporation in any of theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3. Devices 253 and 255 would, in suchinstance, be associated with the hour and quarter hour portions of eachapparatus, respectively.

The foregoing embodiments achieve the objects of this invention. Thetime indicating device according to the invention indicates time purelyin terms of color, there being no resort to a clock face and/orobservable rotatable hands. There is, furthermore, no necessity forresorting to any display of numerical indicia. The apparatus is highlyaesthetic, and can be incorporated in a great variety of modes. Theabsence of indicia make calibration of the apparatus according tochanges in time zones unnecessary, this being particularly useful totravelers. Although the embodiment described above relates to theindication of hours and quarter hours, it is within the scope of theinvention to indicate other time periods in terms of color as well.Other features, such as a visually observable alarm for indicating thearrival of a particular time of the day, can easily be incorporated intoapparatus according to the invention. The inventive method of indicatingtime in terms of color can be used to indicate the time of day or toindicate time periods.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof, but it is to be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for indicating time in terms of color, said apparatuscomprising:

a first plurality of differently colored electric lamps,

each lamp having a color corresponding to particular hours of the day;

a first container having a chamber for holding said first plurality ofelectric lamps, said container transmitting light from the colored lampswhen the lamps are ignited; 1

first switching means for connecting said lamps to an electric powersource in hourly sequence to ignite each lamp in turn according to thehour of the day to which the color of each lamp corresponds;

a second plurality of differently colored electric lamps, each lamphaving a color corresponding to a particular part of each hour of theday;

a second container having a chamber for holding said second plurality ofelectric lamps, sald container transmitting light from the colored lampswhen the lamps are ignited; and

second switching means for connecting said second 7 plurality of lampsto an electric power supply in timed sequence to ignite each lamp inturn for the period of the hour of the day to which the color of eachlamp corresponds.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising means forprojecting the light from said first and second pluralities of lamps tolocations spaced from the lamps. 1

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first plurality of lampscomprises four lamps, the color of each lamp corresponding to sixequally spaced hours of 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidsecond plurality of lamps comprises four differently colored lamps, thecolor of each lamp corresponding to a particular quarter of each hour.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and secondpluralities of lamps are each the same in number and color.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and secondcontainers are translucent, said containers being illuminated in thecolor of lamps ignited in the respective containers.

1. Apparatus for indicating time in terms of color, said apparatuscomprising: a first plurality of differently colored electric lamps,each lamp having a color corresponding to particular hours of the day; afirst container having a chamber for holding said first plurality ofelectric lamps, said container transmitting light from the colored lampswhen the lamps are ignited; first switching means for connecting saidlamps to an electric power source in hourly sequence to ignite each lampin turn according to the hour of the day to which the color of each lampcorresponds; a second plurality of differently colored electric lamps,each lamp having a color corresponding to a particular part of each hourof the day; a second container having a chamber for holding said secondplurality of electric lamps, saId container transmitting light from thecolored lamps when the lamps are ignited; and second switching means forconnecting said second plurality of lamps to an electric power supply intimed sequence to ignite each lamp in turn for the period of the hour ofthe day to which the color of each lamp corresponds.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 and further comprising means for projecting thelight from said first and second pluralities of lamps to locationsspaced from the lamps.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidfirst plurality of lamps comprises four lamps, the color of each lampcorresponding to six equally spaced hours of the day.
 4. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said second plurality of lamps comprisesfour differently colored lamps, the color of each lamp corresponding toa particular quarter of each hour.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1wherein said first and second pluralities of lamps are each the same innumber and color.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said firstand second containers are translucent, said containers being illuminatedin the color of lamps ignited in the respective containers.